EPA Proposes Significant New Use Rule for HBCD

March 28, 2012 by Brian Feito|FDA and EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a significant new use rule (SNUR) under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for hexabromocyclodecane (HBCD). This proposed rule would designate “use in consumer textiles, other than for use in motor vehicles” as a significant new use. This action would require persons who intend to manufacture (including import) or process HBCD for use in covered consumer textiles to notify the EAP at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The general SNUR article exemption for persons who import or process chemical substances as part of an article would not apply.

EPA press release (dated 03/20/12) announcing proposed SNUR, as well as three other SNURs for DnPP, SCCP, and PDBEs, and proposed amendments to the SNUR for benzidine-based chemical substances, available here.